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Vol. 2, Issue 10
October 2017
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On Thursday Oct. 5, I attended the 38th Annual Economic Outlook Conference, presented by the WSU Center for Economic Development and Business Research. Information was presented on the national economy, industry highlights, exports, manufacturing and government. Although national data and the stock market have strong indicators for a bright forecast, our state and local economies will remain almost stagnant with just minor percentage gains. Much of the reason seems to be our lack of attracting and retaining population in general and workforce in particular. This applies not only young professionals but also members of the general workforce. So, we still have our work cut out for us. Both state and local governments, along with all citizens, must work to make our region a place that is attractive to live, work and play.
Commissioners continue to press for reasonable, rational and restrained solutions for our space needs challenge. Also we are becoming more concerned by the jail population numbers. As I mentioned last time, the Sheriff and our Community Corrections Director are working for a cost effective solution that will be a positive step to control the surge in our average daily population.
I am pleased to report that a summit at Via Christi-St. Joseph Hospital, concerning the behavioral health/substance abuse challenge in our community, was well attended by law enforcement and state legislators. Our response to this issue not only requires full cooperation from local agencies but also financial support from our state government. The Sedgwick County Community Crisis Center serves three times the number of consumers and receives about a third of the state funding as a similar facility in Kansas City. We also need a regional long term facility to house individuals who are not suitable for community programs. Hopefully we can advance these ideas.
Additionally, I recently toured the Textron operation at the former Beechcraft location with Commissioner O’Donnell. Textron shared photos of the tour below. The products we saw were truly impressive: the Citation Longitude, the T-6 trainer, and the as yet, experimental Scorpion. They are amazing aviation products produced by our local community partners and local workforce. We are still the leaders in aviation technology and production.
As always, contact me with comments or suggestions.
Dave
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County launches new data application
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The Sedgwick County Sheriff's office launched an application this week called
"What's Going On?"
that allows citizens to view locations and data tables that includes information like dates, places and types of crime. It's updated every morning at 7 a.m. and contains information from the last 365 days. Please note - the application only contains Sedgwick County Sheriff data. Visit our
website
and download our app for more information.
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EMS Post 16 boosts public safety in District 5
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EMS Post 16 recently opened on south Oliver. County leaders and community partners celebrated this new facility with a ribbon-cutting on Friday, Sept. 29. The new post is co-located with Sedgwick County Fire District 1 Station 36. It will be staffed 24/7 with one ambulance and crew.
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Bringing awareness to mental illness in Sedgwick County
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Every year Mental Illness Awareness Week falls on the first full week of October. This year, Sedgwick County is recognizing it from Oct. 1 to 7. Commissioners brought awareness to it at a recent commission meeting.
Because we know that treatment works, many individuals experiencing a mental illness are able to work, play, and live in our community just as everyone else. COMCARE of Sedgwick County partners with many agencies including: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Newman University, the Robert Dole Veterans Administration Hospital, the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, Breakthrough Club, and Via Christi Behavioral Health, to provide treatment, support, education, and advocacy to help improve the lives of individuals affected by mental illness.
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Flu shots now available - protect against the virus this winter
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Influenza (flu) is a contagious disease that spreads around the United States every year usually between October and May. According to the Sedgwick County Division of Health a vaccination (flu shot) is still the best way to protect yourself and your family from becoming ill with the flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone who is able get a flu vaccination before the end of October.
Flu vaccines will be available at the Sedgwick County Division of Health Main Clinic, 2716 W. Central in Wichita, beginning October 2, 2017. Clinic hours are:
- Monday – Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Thursday, noon to 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Flu vaccinations are available to uninsured children age 18 and younger, and children with state-sponsored insurance plans such as Medicaid, Amerigroup, United Healthcare, or Sunflower. A sliding fee scale is available for children who qualify.
Starting October 2, 2017, flu vaccinations will be available to
uninsured
adults age 19 and older for a sliding fee ranging from $2 to $30. Proof of income is needed for a discount.
If you do not qualify for a flu vaccination at the Division of Health, please visit your primary care physician or neighborhood pharmacy to receive one. Visit
www.flu.gov
for information about resources in your area. Flu vaccinations are recommended for anyone six months or older, unless otherwise directed by a physician. It is important to get a flu vaccination every year, as flu strains are usually different from year to year. Sedgwick County wants to remind residents that flu vaccinations protect the person receiving it as well as others who are not able to receive this type of immunization.
If you have questions about the flu vaccine, please contact the Sedgwick County Immunizations Program at 316-660-7362 or
immunizations@sedgwick.gov
.
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Crews continue to work on the Kellogg/ I-235 interchange rebuild. This first phase is scheduled to be completed in 2019.
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Update on Kellogg/ 235 interchange
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- The new southbound I-235 ramp to westbound US 54 is now open.
- On Saturday, October 28, Maple Street will be closed for the day to swing bridge beams above traffic lanes.
- All four cloverleaf ramps at the I-235/US 54 Interchange are closed until late December as work on the I-235 bridges over US 54 switched to the right lanes.
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87th Street South improvements completed
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A one mile road improvement project on 87
th
Street South between Rock and Webb Roads was recently completed. The project was funded by Sedgwick County, City of Derby, and Rockford Township. Partners celebrated the finished project with a ribbon-cutting on Tuesday, Oct. 10.
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Construction began in June 2017 and ended in October 2017.
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The entire mile was paved and the road subgrade was upgraded along with several other enhancements which improved the overall quality and lifespan of the road.
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Make your voice heard - vote!
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Nov. 7 is Election Day in Sedgwick County. Registered voters will be able to vote for candidates for various local offices including cities and school boards. A list of current candidates can be found
here
.
Early voting at the Sedgwick County Election Office (510 N. Main, Ste. 101, Wichita) will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 to Friday, Oct. 27 and Monday, Oct. 30 to Friday, Nov. 3. Voters may also vote early on Monday, Nov. 6 from 8 a.m. until noon.
There will be 15 additional locations open for early voting. They are listed on the Election Office’s website:
www.sedgwickcounty.org/elections
. Registered voters may vote at any advanced voting location.
Polls will be open on Election Day, Nov. 7, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters may use the
polling place locator
to find their correct polling location if they choose to vote on Election Day.
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County participates in chili cook-off
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Sedgwick County partnered with Public at the Brickyard in this year’s Wichita Wagonmasters’ Chili Cook-off. County commissioners and leaders dished out bison chili to event-goers.
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316-660-9300
525 N. Main, Ste 320, Wichita, KS 67203
Contact Public Information Officer:
Kate Flavin, 316-660-9370
525 N. Main, Ste 343, Wichita, KS 67203
Contact Corporate Communications Manager:
Keturah Austin, 316-660-9370
525 N. Main, Ste 343, Wichita, KS 67203
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Connect with Sedgwick County
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